USTTAD Scheme: Benefits

USTTAD Scheme: Benefits

Question: The USTTAD/Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development Scheme has been a positive step for the development of traditional artisans in India. Elaborate.

• The USTTAD or Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development Scheme has recently been launched in Varanasi, UP for the development of traditional artisans.

• Scheme will also ensure growth of lakhs of traditional artisans in the city

• Varanasi’s craftsmen and artisans famous for traditional arts crafts and silk woven items will be aided

• Minority traditional artisans and craftsmen will be helped to market their products through this scheme

• Scheme has also been launched to preserve rich cultural heritage of traditional arts and crafts of minorities and their capacity building

• Scheme will also establish linkages of these arts and crafts with domestic and global market and ensure dignity of labour

• Scheme will help skilled as well as unskilled artisans to compete with larger companies

• Scheme will also generate jobs and better future for youths in minority communities

• Scheme will also provide skill development to weavers and artisans of traditional crafts such as toys, wooden lacquerware and Banaras Gulabi Meenakari

Facts and Stats

• Varanasi has the largest number of weavers in UP

• Around 37,000 families in this city are engaged in weaving work

• FM has allocated INR 17 crore for this scheme

• Programme is linked with Make in India initiative

• National Institute of Design will also help the weavers and artisans to launch and market their products well